What Happens When My DBA Settlement is Approved?

If we reach a settlement agreement with the insurer, the process is not over. The Department of Labor (DOL) must evaluate the proposed settlement.

The DOL will review:

• The reason for the settlement;
• Your medical information and work history;
• Your medical report for the injury or disease;
• An itemized bill of medical expenses;

The specific settlement amounts for medical bills, compensation, and legal fees.

The DOL also considers your age, education, work history, and degree of disability. It matters whether you can return to work, and if so, what kind. Will it be comparable in pay to your previous work? The department considers your future medical needs, including whether you will need a great deal of care. Finally, the DOL reviews your life expectancy based on actuarial tables.

The DOL must agree that the settlement is fair for you before approving it.